Strata painting approval: what the committee needs before work starts
A checklist for strata managers and committees comparing painting quotes in NSW.
1. A scope everyone quotes on
Quotes are only comparable when they price the same work. List the areas (lobbies, stairwells, fire doors, car park, external elevations), the surfaces, the preparation, the number of coats and what is excluded.
2. The paint system in writing
Ask each contractor to name the primer or sealer and finish products and the number of coats. A cheap quote often has one less coat or less preparation.
3. Licence and insurance
- NSW contractor licence covering painting, checked on the NSW Government licence check service
- Public liability insurance certificate
- Workers compensation certificate
- Safe Work Method Statements for the work, including any work at height
4. Colours and finishes
Confirm colour codes and sheen levels before work starts, and check any by-laws or development consent conditions that control external colours.
5. Access and resident notices
Agree work hours, which areas close and when, how doors and lifts stay usable, and how residents are notified. Good notices prevent most complaints.
6. Sign-off
Agree how the work is inspected at the end, who signs it off, and how touch-ups are handled.
Related
Common questions
Who approves painting in a strata building?
Painting common property is maintenance by the owners corporation. Depending on the cost and the building's by-laws and delegations, it is approved by the strata committee or at a general meeting. Your strata manager will know which applies.
Does a painter need a licence in NSW?
Yes. In NSW a contractor licence is needed for painting work worth more than $5,000 including labour and materials. You can check any licence on the NSW Government licence check service.
What documents should the contractor provide?
A written scope and quote, proof of licence, public liability insurance and workers compensation certificates, and Safe Work Method Statements for the work.